A dark comedy and morality play that serves as an allegory for complacency, the rise of totalitarianism, and the dangers of appeasing evil.

Characters: The main character is Gottlieb Biedermann, a manufacturer of hair tonic who prides himself on being a good, upstanding citizen, but who is also selfish and cowardly. Other characters include his wife Babette, their maid Anna, and two arsonists: Sepp Schmitz (a wrestler) and Willi Eisenring (a former waiter).

Plot: The story follows Biedermann as he allows Schmitz and Eisenring to stay in his attic, despite blatant evidence that they are arsonists bringing petrol barrels into his home. Instead of acting, Biedermann tries to appease them, hoping to be spared. He even gives them the matches that finally destroy his house.

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